Cold Showers, Rebuilt

Fourteen days of cold showers reshapes your immune response, elevates mood through a single neurochemical shift, and activates the metabolic tissue most people never touch. Here is the science and the protocol.

Harnessing the Power of Cold: A Comprehensive Guide to Daily Cold Showers

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Transform Your Health with Cold Showers Dr Berg s Guide to Cold Showers

00:00 what would happen after 14 days two what would happen after 14 days two weeks weeks weeks if you took a cold shower if you took a cold shower if you took a cold shower every single day that's what we're going every single day that's what we're going every single day that's what we're going to talk about we're going to do a deep to talk about we're going to do a deep to talk about we're going to do a deep dive into this topic now you may have dive into this topic now you may have dive into this topic now you may have heard of this guy called iceman he's heard of this guy called iceman he's heard of this guy called iceman he's wrote a book he's done youtube videos he wrote a book he's done youtube videos he wrote a book he's done youtube videos he developed the wim hof method using developed the wim hof method using developed the wim hof method using things like ice baths cold showers to things like ice baths cold showers to things like ice baths cold showers to improve your health i'm going to talk improve your health i'm going to talk improve your health i'm going to talk about some of the benefits and the about some of the benefits and the about some of the benefits and the research revolving around using research revolving around using research revolving around using cryotherapy or cryotherapy or cryotherapy or cold therapy now before you click off cold therapy now before you click off cold therapy now before you click off and say there is no way in heck i am and say there is no way in heck i am and say there is no way in heck i am going to ever take a cold shower going to ever take a cold shower going to ever take a cold shower just hear me out because there are some just hear me out because there are some just hear me out because there are some seriously positive seriously positive seriously positive benefits from doing this and you can do benefits from doing this and you can do benefits from doing this and you can do it very very gradually so it's not very it very very gradually so it's not very it very very gradually so it's not very uncomfortable okay now i'm serious uncomfortable okay now i'm serious uncomfortable okay now i'm serious all right now you would think that all right now you would think that all right now you would think that going out in the cold when it's rainy going out in the cold when it's rainy going out in the cold when it's rainy and it's cold you would you'd get sick and it's cold you would you'd get sick and it's cold you would you'd get sick that's because your parents told you to

01:00 that's because your parents told you to that's because your parents told you to stay out of that rain it's cold out stay out of that rain it's cold out stay out of that rain it's cold out there you're going to get a cold just there you're going to get a cold just there you're going to get a cold just stay inside where it's nice and warm stay inside where it's nice and warm stay inside where it's nice and warm well it just so happens that when you well it just so happens that when you well it just so happens that when you expose your body to the cold i'm not expose your body to the cold i'm not expose your body to the cold i'm not talking long term just a short term talking long term just a short term talking long term just a short term your immune system becomes enhanced your immune system becomes enhanced your immune system becomes enhanced you get more monocytes and lymphocytes you get more monocytes and lymphocytes you get more monocytes and lymphocytes these are white blood cells that fight these are white blood cells that fight these are white blood cells that fight off pathogens off pathogens off pathogens you have a boost of t helper cells the t you have a boost of t helper cells the t you have a boost of t helper cells the t helper cell is like the quarterback of helper cell is like the quarterback of helper cell is like the quarterback of the entire immune system the entire immune system the entire immune system okay you also get a spike of t okay you also get a spike of t okay you also get a spike of t suppressor cells that help to calm down suppressor cells that help to calm down suppressor cells that help to calm down an overactive immune system so they an overactive immune system so they an overactive immune system so they prevent too much destruction of the prevent too much destruction of the prevent too much destruction of the immune system so it's kind of a system immune system so it's kind of a system immune system so it's kind of a system where your immune system is fighting where your immune system is fighting where your immune system is fighting things off yet you have other factors things off yet you have other factors things off yet you have other factors that are making sure there's not too that are making sure there's not too that are making sure there's not too much collateral damage so your immune much collateral damage so your immune much collateral damage so your immune system is enhanced when you expose it to system is enhanced when you expose it to system is enhanced when you expose it to cold which is very very cold which is very very cold which is very very counter-intuitive counter-intuitive counter-intuitive number two you get a spike of

02:00 number two you get a spike of number two you get a spike of noradrenaline noradrenaline is similar noradrenaline noradrenaline is similar noradrenaline noradrenaline is similar to adrenaline to adrenaline to adrenaline and when they tested people that have and when they tested people that have and when they tested people that have anxiety anxiety anxiety attention deficit disorder attention deficit disorder attention deficit disorder depression they usually have low depression they usually have low depression they usually have low noradrenaline so by using this amazing noradrenaline so by using this amazing noradrenaline so by using this amazing method of exposing yourself to cold you method of exposing yourself to cold you method of exposing yourself to cold you can spike noradrenaline and improve your can spike noradrenaline and improve your can spike noradrenaline and improve your overall mood so if you're depressed you overall mood so if you're depressed you overall mood so if you're depressed you can pull yourself out of that lower can pull yourself out of that lower can pull yourself out of that lower emotion if you have anxiety excessive emotion if you have anxiety excessive emotion if you have anxiety excessive worry things like that you it can worry things like that you it can worry things like that you it can elevate your emotion it can help your elevate your emotion it can help your elevate your emotion it can help your cognitive function cognitive function cognitive function your focus your focus your focus your memory you can become more alert so your memory you can become more alert so your memory you can become more alert so apparently our bodies have evolved over apparently our bodies have evolved over apparently our bodies have evolved over eons to adapt to things like eons to adapt to things like eons to adapt to things like cold cold cold hunger starvation so our bodies through hunger starvation so our bodies through hunger starvation so our bodies through this process have developed certain type this process have developed certain type this process have developed certain type of adaptive survival mechanisms to of adaptive survival mechanisms to of adaptive survival mechanisms to improve our health to survive better improve our health to survive better improve our health to survive better when exposed to cold and hunger and when exposed to cold and hunger and when exposed to cold and hunger and things like that

03:00 things like that things like that it's called the hormetic effect and a it's called the hormetic effect and a it's called the hormetic effect and a hormetic effect is when you expose hormetic effect is when you expose hormetic effect is when you expose someone to a stress someone to a stress someone to a stress and then the body adapts and becomes and then the body adapts and becomes and then the body adapts and becomes stronger like exercise would give you a stronger like exercise would give you a stronger like exercise would give you a hormetic effect hormetic effect hormetic effect fasting would give you a hormonal effect fasting would give you a hormonal effect fasting would give you a hormonal effect taking a cold shower would definitely do taking a cold shower would definitely do taking a cold shower would definitely do it all right the next thing is that it all right the next thing is that it all right the next thing is that taking a cold shower is going to help taking a cold shower is going to help taking a cold shower is going to help you lose weight how well you lose weight how well you lose weight how well when you take a cold shower when you take a cold shower when you take a cold shower you're going to trigger you're going to trigger you're going to trigger brown fat another term for brown fat is brown fat another term for brown fat is brown fat another term for brown fat is brown adipose brown adipose brown adipose tissue tissue tissue so the sensation of cold is the so the sensation of cold is the so the sensation of cold is the main stimulus to stimulating brown fat main stimulus to stimulating brown fat main stimulus to stimulating brown fat so the more cold the more brown fat that so the more cold the more brown fat that so the more cold the more brown fat that you have now what's so significant about you have now what's so significant about you have now what's so significant about this brown fat versus the white fat or this brown fat versus the white fat or this brown fat versus the white fat or white adipose tissue white adipose tissue white adipose tissue well brown fat increases heat well brown fat increases heat well brown fat increases heat energy and metabolism your metabolism is energy and metabolism your metabolism is energy and metabolism your metabolism is going to be raised when you have more going to be raised when you have more going to be raised when you have more brown fat you're going to lose more

04:00 brown fat you're going to lose more brown fat you're going to lose more weight and brown fat will also trigger weight and brown fat will also trigger weight and brown fat will also trigger more loss of white fat which is more loss of white fat which is more loss of white fat which is the storage fat that you have in your the storage fat that you have in your the storage fat that you have in your body okay so that's pretty cool in fact body okay so that's pretty cool in fact body okay so that's pretty cool in fact 100 grams of brown fat can burn 100 grams of brown fat can burn 100 grams of brown fat can burn 3 400 calories per day that's more 3 400 calories per day that's more 3 400 calories per day that's more calories than you potentially could eat calories than you potentially could eat calories than you potentially could eat in a given day so we want more brown fat in a given day so we want more brown fat in a given day so we want more brown fat on our body another reason why it can on our body another reason why it can on our body another reason why it can help you lose weight it can create an help you lose weight it can create an help you lose weight it can create an increase in insulin sensitivity okay increase in insulin sensitivity okay increase in insulin sensitivity okay if you've been watching my videos the if you've been watching my videos the if you've been watching my videos the more you improve insulin sensitivity the more you improve insulin sensitivity the more you improve insulin sensitivity the less insulin that's going to be produced less insulin that's going to be produced less insulin that's going to be produced because it's going to work now and because it's going to work now and because it's going to work now and there's going to be less resistance to there's going to be less resistance to there's going to be less resistance to insulin and the more weight loss you're insulin and the more weight loss you're insulin and the more weight loss you're going to have the better the blood going to have the better the blood going to have the better the blood sugars you're going to have sugars you're going to have sugars you're going to have so if you have diabetes your so if you have diabetes your so if you have diabetes your pre-diabetes and you take a cold shower pre-diabetes and you take a cold shower pre-diabetes and you take a cold shower you're going to notice that your blood you're going to notice that your blood you're going to notice that your blood sugars actually come into check much sugars actually come into check much sugars actually come into check much better and when that happens you're better and when that happens you're better and when that happens you're going to lose weight number five going to lose weight number five going to lose weight number five cold showers help with inflammation they

05:00 cold showers help with inflammation they cold showers help with inflammation they are anti-inflammatory are anti-inflammatory are anti-inflammatory so if you have inflammation in your body so if you have inflammation in your body so if you have inflammation in your body if you have some type of autoimmune if you have some type of autoimmune if you have some type of autoimmune disease if you have disease if you have disease if you have arthritis bursitis tendinitis taking a arthritis bursitis tendinitis taking a arthritis bursitis tendinitis taking a cold shower would be a very therapeutic cold shower would be a very therapeutic cold shower would be a very therapeutic thing number six thing number six thing number six cold showers can increase your overall cold showers can increase your overall cold showers can increase your overall antioxidant networks okay more antioxidant networks okay more antioxidant networks okay more antioxidants the less dna damage the antioxidants the less dna damage the antioxidants the less dna damage the less risk of getting cancer and other less risk of getting cancer and other less risk of getting cancer and other diseases number seven neural protection diseases number seven neural protection diseases number seven neural protection okay cold showers help your brain and so okay cold showers help your brain and so okay cold showers help your brain and so apparently cold activates the regrowing apparently cold activates the regrowing apparently cold activates the regrowing of neurons okay so that's pretty cool of neurons okay so that's pretty cool of neurons okay so that's pretty cool and also as a side note when you're cold and also as a side note when you're cold and also as a side note when you're cold you have a much better sleep now this is you have a much better sleep now this is you have a much better sleep now this is within reason okay i'm talking about within reason okay i'm talking about within reason okay i'm talking about freezing i'm just talking about having freezing i'm just talking about having freezing i'm just talking about having the temperature a little bit cooler you the temperature a little bit cooler you the temperature a little bit cooler you will sleep a little bit better so will sleep a little bit better so will sleep a little bit better so another benefit i forgot to add on to another benefit i forgot to add on to another benefit i forgot to add on to this is sleep all right number eight this is sleep all right number eight this is sleep all right number eight longevity why because

06:00 longevity why because longevity why because cold showers stimulate autophagy just cold showers stimulate autophagy just cold showers stimulate autophagy just like fasting stimulates autophagy like fasting stimulates autophagy like fasting stimulates autophagy autophagy is a condition that your body autophagy is a condition that your body autophagy is a condition that your body gets into where it's recycling old gets into where it's recycling old gets into where it's recycling old damaged proteins okay damaged proteins okay damaged proteins okay so if there's certain things that aren't so if there's certain things that aren't so if there's certain things that aren't working in the body like their proteins working in the body like their proteins working in the body like their proteins or enzymes or their mitochondria or or enzymes or their mitochondria or or enzymes or their mitochondria or they're they're plaquing in the brain as they're they're plaquing in the brain as they're they're plaquing in the brain as in amyloid plaquing or whatever your in amyloid plaquing or whatever your in amyloid plaquing or whatever your body's going to recycle all that and body's going to recycle all that and body's going to recycle all that and turn that into brand new proteins the turn that into brand new proteins the turn that into brand new proteins the other cool thing about taking a cold other cool thing about taking a cold other cool thing about taking a cold shower is that it will help lower shower is that it will help lower shower is that it will help lower cortisol that means it's going to reduce cortisol that means it's going to reduce cortisol that means it's going to reduce your stress your stress your stress okay okay okay also it's going to create better also it's going to create better also it's going to create better recovery so if you're an athlete okay recovery so if you're an athlete okay recovery so if you're an athlete okay and you're sore and you need faster and you're sore and you need faster and you're sore and you need faster recovery recovery recovery coal therapy is the way to go i remember coal therapy is the way to go i remember coal therapy is the way to go i remember long ago when my wife and i went to the long ago when my wife and i went to the long ago when my wife and i went to the dominican republic and uh i remember we dominican republic and uh i remember we dominican republic and uh i remember we walked off the beaten path walked off the beaten path walked off the beaten path and found this little oasis this little and found this little oasis this little

07:00 and found this little oasis this little um um um like building and they had all these like building and they had all these like building and they had all these different uh little baths and they were different uh little baths and they were different uh little baths and they were like like like they looked like little jacuzzis but they looked like little jacuzzis but they looked like little jacuzzis but some were really really cold and some some were really really cold and some some were really really cold and some were really really hot they had like were really really hot they had like were really really hot they had like freezing freezing freezing lukewarm hot really hot and so on and lukewarm hot really hot and so on and lukewarm hot really hot and so on and that was a really that was a really that was a really interesting introduction to cold therapy interesting introduction to cold therapy interesting introduction to cold therapy because at first it didn't make sense to because at first it didn't make sense to because at first it didn't make sense to me why would anyone want to jump into me why would anyone want to jump into me why would anyone want to jump into some cold bath right but we both tried some cold bath right but we both tried some cold bath right but we both tried it out and it was freezing but then of it out and it was freezing but then of it out and it was freezing but then of course we went into the warmer bath and course we went into the warmer bath and course we went into the warmer bath and the hot jacuzzi and i remember feeling the hot jacuzzi and i remember feeling the hot jacuzzi and i remember feeling really incredible after doing that my really incredible after doing that my really incredible after doing that my body was just like body was just like body was just like feeling amazing and i slept great and feeling amazing and i slept great and feeling amazing and i slept great and then i kind of forgot about it for some then i kind of forgot about it for some then i kind of forgot about it for some years now coming full circle here i am years now coming full circle here i am years now coming full circle here i am talking about exposing yourself to cold talking about exposing yourself to cold talking about exposing yourself to cold so anyway here's the 10 benefits of cold so anyway here's the 10 benefits of cold so anyway here's the 10 benefits of cold showers and think about it if you can showers and think about it if you can showers and think about it if you can experience these benefits from just a experience these benefits from just a experience these benefits from just a cold shower i mean you're already cold shower i mean you're already cold shower i mean you're already probably taking a shower every day all probably taking a shower every day all probably taking a shower every day all you have to do is turn it to the cold

08:00 you have to do is turn it to the cold you have to do is turn it to the cold for a little bit and then turn it back for a little bit and then turn it back for a little bit and then turn it back to the hot and i'm going to show you now to the hot and i'm going to show you now to the hot and i'm going to show you now what i would recommend i would do this what i would recommend i would do this what i would recommend i would do this when you're in the shower when you're in the shower when you're in the shower start with the hot shower okay start with the hot shower okay start with the hot shower okay get comfortable get really hot take the get comfortable get really hot take the get comfortable get really hot take the hot shower feel comfortable and then hot shower feel comfortable and then hot shower feel comfortable and then turn it to the cold turn it to the cold turn it to the cold okay i mean a nice cold shower not okay i mean a nice cold shower not okay i mean a nice cold shower not lukewarm but really cold lukewarm but really cold lukewarm but really cold for about 30 seconds for about 30 seconds for about 30 seconds now anyone can handle 30 seconds right now anyone can handle 30 seconds right now anyone can handle 30 seconds right and then turn it back to hot and then and then turn it back to hot and then and then turn it back to hot and then just have that as your introduction to just have that as your introduction to just have that as your introduction to the cold the next day you go in there the cold the next day you go in there the cold the next day you go in there start to increase the 30 seconds to start to increase the 30 seconds to start to increase the 30 seconds to maybe 40 seconds okay and then the next maybe 40 seconds okay and then the next maybe 40 seconds okay and then the next shower turn up to 50 seconds and shower turn up to 50 seconds and shower turn up to 50 seconds and gradually increase this to the point gradually increase this to the point gradually increase this to the point where you're taking a cold shower where you're taking a cold shower where you're taking a cold shower for for for 5 5 5 to 10 to 10 to 10 minutes but if you do it gradually it minutes but if you do it gradually it minutes but if you do it gradually it won't be that uncomfortable in fact the won't be that uncomfortable in fact the won't be that uncomfortable in fact the benefits that you're going to see are benefits that you're going to see are benefits that you're going to see are going to be mind-blowing and you're going to be mind-blowing and you're going to be mind-blowing and you're going to finally realize you should have going to finally realize you should have going to finally realize you should have did this a long time ago what's

09:00 did this a long time ago what's did this a long time ago what's interesting you have all these feedback interesting you have all these feedback interesting you have all these feedback systems in in the body systems in in the body systems in in the body that when you expose your body to a very that when you expose your body to a very that when you expose your body to a very cold sensation it actually warms up the cold sensation it actually warms up the cold sensation it actually warms up the internal core of your body you actually internal core of your body you actually internal core of your body you actually get more circulation internally the flip get more circulation internally the flip get more circulation internally the flip side of that when you take a hot shower side of that when you take a hot shower side of that when you take a hot shower it actually cools down the inside of it actually cools down the inside of it actually cools down the inside of your core this is why taking a hot your core this is why taking a hot your core this is why taking a hot shower before bed might be a good thing shower before bed might be a good thing shower before bed might be a good thing because it's going to cool down your because it's going to cool down your because it's going to cool down your body and you're going to sleep better body and you're going to sleep better body and you're going to sleep better the body sleeps better when it's the body sleeps better when it's the body sleeps better when it's slightly colder but anyway this might be slightly colder but anyway this might be slightly colder but anyway this might be an easy way to approach this cold shower an easy way to approach this cold shower an easy way to approach this cold shower unless you want to just do a cold turkey unless you want to just do a cold turkey unless you want to just do a cold turkey and just jump right in now the other and just jump right in now the other and just jump right in now the other thing that i want to mention is thing that i want to mention is thing that i want to mention is infrared saunas okay infrared saunas okay infrared saunas okay use a lower temperature than a use a lower temperature than a use a lower temperature than a traditional sauna so they use like 120 traditional sauna so they use like 120 traditional sauna so they use like 120 to 140 degrees fahrenheit versus to 140 degrees fahrenheit versus to 140 degrees fahrenheit versus traditional saunas which are 150 to 180 traditional saunas which are 150 to 180 traditional saunas which are 150 to 180 degrees fahrenheit now this has nothing

10:00 degrees fahrenheit now this has nothing degrees fahrenheit now this has nothing to do with a cold therapy but the only to do with a cold therapy but the only to do with a cold therapy but the only point of bringing it up is that it's not point of bringing it up is that it's not point of bringing it up is that it's not as hot as a traditional therapy and as hot as a traditional therapy and as hot as a traditional therapy and there's some real interesting hormetic there's some real interesting hormetic there's some real interesting hormetic effects to infrared which i will share effects to infrared which i will share effects to infrared which i will share in another video real soon but anyway as in another video real soon but anyway as in another video real soon but anyway as you can see if you did cold therapy for you can see if you did cold therapy for you can see if you did cold therapy for 14 days 14 days 14 days you would see remarkable health benefits you would see remarkable health benefits you would see remarkable health benefits now if you haven't seen my recent video now if you haven't seen my recent video now if you haven't seen my recent video on the benefits of fasting on the benefits of fasting on the benefits of fasting you have to see that check it out right you have to see that check it out right you have to see that check it out right here you

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In a world increasingly captivated by wellness trends, the simple act of taking a cold shower stands out for its profound health benefits. While the thought of stepping into icy water may evoke discomfort, scientific research reveals that this ritual can enhance your immune system, improve mood, and even aid in weight loss. By understanding the mechanisms behind these benefits, we can embrace cold exposure as a powerful ally in our pursuit of longevity and resilience.

The concept of cold therapy may seem daunting at first. However, integrating cold showers into your daily routine can be a gradual process, allowing your body to adapt to the temperature change. As you explore the various advantages of the science of cold exposure, you may find that this practice not only invigorates your body but also promotes a sense of clarity and stillness in your mind.

3,400 calories burned per day by 100 grams of brown fat

"If you can experience these benefits from just a cold shower, I mean you're already probably taking a shower every day."

Health Benefits of Cold Showers

Cold showers offer a myriad of health benefits, many of which are supported by scientific research. One of the most significant advantages is the enhancement of the immune system. Exposure to cold water increases the production of white blood cells, particularly monocytes and lymphocytes, which play crucial roles in fighting off pathogens. This counterintuitive response—where cold exposure boosts immunity—can lead to a more resilient body.

Moreover, cold showers stimulate the release of noradrenaline, a neurotransmitter that can elevate mood and improve cognitive function. Research indicates that individuals with anxiety and depression often have lower levels of noradrenaline. By incorporating cold exposure, you can potentially enhance your emotional well-being and sharpen your mental clarity.

Additionally, cold showers activate brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, which is essential for thermogenesis—the process of heat production in organisms. This type of fat burns calories at a remarkable rate; in fact, 100 grams of brown fat can burn approximately 3,400 calories per day. This means that regular cold exposure not only aids in weight management but also improves overall metabolic health.

"When you expose your body to a very cold sensation, it actually warms up the internal core of your body." — Dr. Berg

Hormetic Effect

The benefits of cold showers can be understood through the lens of the hormetic effect. This concept refers to the idea that exposing the body to mild stressors—such as cold—can lead to adaptive responses that enhance resilience and health. Just as exercise and fasting can strengthen the body, so too can cold exposure.

When you take a cold shower, your body experiences a short-term stressor that prompts it to adapt. This adaptation can lead to increased insulin sensitivity, which is particularly beneficial for those managing blood sugar levels. Improved insulin sensitivity means that your body can regulate blood sugar more effectively, reducing the risk of diabetes and promoting weight loss.

Furthermore, cold exposure has anti-inflammatory effects, making it a valuable tool for individuals with autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation. By promoting cellular repair through mechanisms like autophagy, cold showers support longevity and overall health.

Practical Tips for Cold Showers

Integrating cold showers into your daily routine can be a transformative experience. To ease into this practice, consider starting with a warm shower. Allow yourself to feel comfortable before gradually introducing cold water. Aim for a cold exposure of about 30 seconds initially. As you become accustomed to the sensation, you can increase the duration to 40 seconds, then 50 seconds, and eventually work your way up to 5 to 10 minutes of cold exposure.

This gradual approach not only makes the experience more manageable but also allows your body to adapt effectively. As Dr. Berg notes, "When you expose your body to a very cold sensation, it actually warms up the internal core of your body." This internal warming effect can enhance circulation and overall well-being.

Additionally, consider alternating between cold and hot water during your shower. This contrast can further stimulate circulation and promote relaxation. Remember, the goal is not to endure discomfort but to embrace the invigorating experience that cold showers can provide.

Practical Takeaways

Start your cold shower journey gradually, beginning with 30 seconds of cold exposure after a warm shower. Incorporate cold showers into your routine to enhance immunity, improve mood, and support weight management.